The Real Deal New York

A look at five iconic buildings that sold in the 21st century

From Rockefeller Center to London’s Harrods, check out the deals after the jump

August 23, 2014 04:00PM

In late July, it was announced that London’s iconic skyscraper, the Gherkin, had hit the market asking upwards of $1 billion. But the Gherkin isn’t the only landmark building to have hit the market in the last decade. Here’s a look at five notable skyscrapers to trade in the 21st century via Buzzbuzzhome.

Briefly the world’s tallest skyscraper, 90 percent of the Chrysler Building was sold by former owner Tishman Speyer to the government of Abu Dhabi for $800 million in 2008. However, Speyer continues to manage the building.

Just at the start of the new millennium, Speyer struck a $1.85 billion deal for all 22-acres of Rockefeller Center, marking the first time that no member of the Rockefeller family would own any part of the property, according to Buzzbuzzhome.

Just two weeks before selling the world-famous department store, former owner Mohammed Al Fayed notoriously said: “People approach us from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar. Fair enough. But I put two fingers up to them. It is not for sale. This is not Marks and Spencer or Sainsbury’s. It Is A Special Place that gives people pleasure. There is only one Mecca.”

At 34-stories, the Ukraina was the tallest hotel in the world from 1957 to 1976. Stalin himself commissioned the hotel, supposedly proclaiming: “We won the war… foreigners will come to Moscow, walk around, and there’s no skyscrapers.” [Buzzbuzzhome] – Christopher Cameron